YOGA- A THERAPEUTIC MODALITY IN THE TREATMENT OF MIGRAINE

The
word “Migraine” is often used in these days. It’s originated from a Greek word
“Hemikrania” where “Hemi” means half and “Kranion” means skull. So, it denotes
pain in one side of the head. “Migraine” is a certain kind of health problem
associated with the brain. A person having migraine feels pain at one side of
the head and might get nausea, vomiting and a sensitivity to light sound or
smell. Some people suffering from migraine can aware about an aura where
visual, sensory, language or motor disturbance signals for a headache occurring
soon. It may last for 2 to 72 hours and happen due to environmental or genetic
factors.

Yoga
is an useful technique in the treatment of migraine. It’s an ancient healing
process combining asanas, pranayamas, meditation and shatkarma etc. to rescue
migraine. These processes are very much efficient to fight with migraine.
Medical science is also recognizing yoga as a natural therapy to cure migraine
across the world. Researchers find that practicing yogic techniques regularly
for a few minutes can positively affect in treating migraine. Here, some
beneficial yogic methods are recommended.

1.1Asana

Asanas are body postures or
alignments in improving the mental as well as physicalhealth. Some asanas are
related with the circulation of blood to the brain. By doing such asanas, pure
oxygenated blood can be supplied to the brain and it can be a positive factor
to cure migraine. These asanas should be practiced in an open area full of
fresh air and free from noise. Sitting asanas like vajrasana, ustrasana,
matsyasana, vakrasana; standing asanas like tadasana, katichakrasana, ardha
chakrasana, padahastottanasana; laying asanas like bhujangasana, dhanurasana,
pavanamuktasana, shavasana etc. are very much effective in this context. People
should choose which asana will be suitable to perform. Asanas are performed
with proper breathing. So, whenever a particular asana is performed, people
should have awareness on inhalation and exhalation. Basically, which asanas are
focused on upper body will be helpful in managing migraine. The intensity of
the asanas will be set according to the degree of migraine.

1.2Pranayama:Pranayama is a breathing
technique which is performed in a series of repetitive rounds. Pranayama cleans
the 72000 nadis (energy channels) in human body. These channels provide vital
energy to different body parts. Pure filtered blood can be supplied to the
head. These balance the cerebral spinal fluid and stimulate brain which leads
to healthy neurological responses. So, if a good neurological condition can be
kept through pranayama then the risk of migraine can be reduced. Some effective
pranayamas are- anuloma viloma, kaphalbhati, ujjayi, sitkari etc. Scientists
say that pranayama has a positive effect on migraine by fighting with the pain
with fresh blood circulation all the time. All the functions of brain and
nervous system can be properly maintained and hence, there will be no chance of
getting migraine attack.

1.3Meditation

Meditation is a continuous flow of
concentration to a single object or thought for a long time. It’s a complete
mental relaxation technique performed in closed eyes, and in an atmosphere free
of noise or shout. Meditation is having the ability to treat migraine.
Meditation keeps the mind relaxed. The brain waves pass in a synchronized pace
to the different parts of the body through nervous system. And in keeping these
brain waves active or efficient, meditation is helpful. So, a good nervous
system with active brain function will have the power to fight with migraine. A
strong mental condition always strives to have a healthy mind. That’s why
meditation will definitely be an effective factor in reducing migraine.
Meditation can be done silently or chanting mantras continuously.

1.4Shatkarma

Shatkarma is a cleansing process
which is meant for internal purification. These are some activities performed
by using some objects like sutra, neti pot or vastra. The practitioner excretes
the waste materials from the body by performing shatkarma. Neti, dhauti, basti
etc. are some methods of shatkarma. By performing shatkarma scientifically, our
internal pathways get clean and the functions will run smoothly. There will be
a proper balance between brain and circulatory system. So, if somebody gets
affected by migraine then by performing shatkarma,the unwanted materials can be
removed and the mind will have a healthy functioning of brain and it will
eliminate migraine.

2.Conclusion

Now a days, yoga is considered as an
alternate therapy in curing different diseases without medicine. Migraine is a
burning question in this era of machinery life. Although, people are suffering
from severe migraine attacks, they can utilize this natural way of healing.
Yoga has no side-effects but, it should be performed scientifically with strict
supervision from experts. Some good ways to remove migraine from human life
have been discussed in this article. These ways have significant role to
improve human lifestyle. Hence, yoga is an ideal way in the treatment of health
problem like migraine to make a healthy and sound human civilization.

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